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Old 09-10-2004, 02:14 PM   #4 (permalink)
Janis
Puddle Runner
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: Rome, Italy
Posts: 352
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Quote:
Originally Posted by inspiron
If you read Hough's book, he explains that it takes about 1/2 to 1 second to start turning once the bike has leaned over. The transfer from the forward forces to the side forces takes some time to be completed. So, when travelling at 100+ mph, you're covering alot of ground in that second. That's why it looks like they throw the knee out so early. By moving over to the side and throwing out the knee, you move your center of gravity and make it easier to lean the bike - and then wait for the forces to shift and the bike will start turning into the curve.

I honestly don't think that any rider would use bodily air resistance to slow down from racing speeds.

(Of course, this is all theory to me - I am definitly not a racer. Janis, Nut, what do you guys think ???)

You are right almost on everything.
We do use body air resistance, at 120+mph it changes A LOT if you raise your body or not. So that's why we raise while braking (plus we need some arms' strenght during the braking).
Leaning our body on the same side of the turn lowers the center of gravity of the bike so that you do not need to tip your bike too much: With lesser inclination you get to turn at higher speed.
We start moving our body early because changing the position unsettles the bike a bit, so it's better to do it before leaning your bike.
If all the weights are set before the turn, the smoothest and fastest the turn will be. At those speeds and angles, you don't want to do sudden movements during the turn!
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